‘It’s all about circumstance’: Riverbend agencies come out to help homeless

Agencies come out to help homeless

By Scott Cousins - scousins@thetelegraph.com

Sharman Powers, left, and Kelsey Stott, right, of Chestnut Health Systems, explain services their organization offers Tuesday at the Project Homeless Connect held at the River of Life Church on Fosterburg Road.

John Badman | The Telegraph

FOSTERBURG — Circumstances.

Whether illness, job loss or something else, it can be easier than most people think to become homeless, or be on the brink.

Darryl Kearney, 45, of Orlando, came to this area because his mother was ill, and “I haven’t been able to leave ever since,” he said.

Now living out of his Jeep, Kearney was among those taking advantage of numerous programs by a multitude of agencies at Project Homeless Connect, an annual outreach by the Madison County Partnership to End Homelessness.

Held Tuesday at River of Life Church on Fosterburg Road, it included about 25 organizations and agencies, according to organizer David Harrison, the Madison County Community Development Homeless Service Coordinator. An hour into the event, he said they were “keeping busy” and they would provide services for about 60 people before it was over.

The program is held in conjunction with MCCD’s annual homeless count, done each year at the direction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The numbers generated are used for a number of agencies and organizations.

Harrison, who coordinates the count, said so far they found about a dozen homeless in Alton, 20 in Granite City and a few more in Collinsville. The count continued Tuesday, including all those living in various shelters.

Last year’s count was 191, with 40 percent of those being children. Harrison said that includes only those on the street or in shelters, not those living with friends or crashing on living room couches.

At Project Homeless Connect, the offerings ranged from educational- and employment-related to health screening and housing, along with several veterans groups.

One of the specialty agencies was Support the Girls, an Edwardsville-based group that provides bras, underwear and feminine hygiene products.

“Women get a lot of clothing donations, but they don’t necessarily get bras, or get the right sizes,” said director Alicia Alexander.

She noted that proper fit makes a big difference.

“Getting measured for the right bra is super important,” she said, adding they have been busy. “We’ve had lots of ladies, and we sent some ladies home with bras for their teenage daughters.”

The primary focus of the event is to “connect folks who are without housing to the services that may be able to get them off the street,” Harrison said. The second is raising community awareness.

One of the biggest issues facing the homeless and potentially homeless is affordability.

“It’s kind of a tough nut to crack,” he said. “You have landlords in the business of making money. Another factor is some regulatory barriers to affordable housing. We have some municipalities that restrict the number of people who can live in a house. That sometimes throws a person who can afford a two-bedroom house into a three-bedroom house they cannot afford.”

Economic and medical issues also take a toll.

“A family that is struggling, maybe making a little bit over minimum wage, they lose that job and that quickly throws them into a tailspin where the following month they are unable to pay their bills,” he said. “One trip to the ER can throw you into debt to the point where you’re unable to pay all those bills.”

Kearney said his primary focus was finding a job, but he also came away with clothing and several bags full of other items from the participating vendors.

“It’s important that people know about this,” Kearney said. “It’s all about circumstances. When you fall apart and things don’t seem to go right and things hit you, it’s nice to know that something like this and people like this can help you.”

Participants were paired with volunteers who took them from station to station, depending on what they needed.

Shawn Womack was a first-time volunteer. He became involved because his sister works for one of the participating agencies.

“I feel like it’s important to volunteer to help people less fortunate,” he said while waiting for his client to finish at one of the tables. “It’s always on my heart, it’s something I need to do.”

Volunteer Dana Fleming has been participating for seven years.

“I love to give back, “she said. “Anything I can do to help people.”

She said the services provided can help boost participants’ confidence, and that is important.

Jodi Baldridge, a community relations representative with IlliniCare Health, one of the state’s Medicaid option providers, was talking about their programs and passing out a variety of small items, ranging from notebooks and pens to hand sanitizer and eyeglass cases.

“Little bitty things people may need at this time of year,” she said.

Kearney said in addition to agencies providing the services, people have to be willing to accept help.

“Don’t let pride get in the way,” he said. “Take care of yourself, that’s priority one.”

The Madison County Partnership to End Homelessness meets at 9:30 a.m. the third Thursday of the month at Chestnut Health System, 50 Northgate Industrial Drive, Granite City. For information call 618-692-8940.

Sharman Powers, left, and Kelsey Stott, right, of Chestnut Health Systems, explain services their organization offers Tuesday at the Project Homeless Connect held at the River of Life Church on Fosterburg Road.

http://www.thetelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_HomelessConnect.jpgSharman Powers, left, and Kelsey Stott, right, of Chestnut Health Systems, explain services their organization offers Tuesday at the Project Homeless Connect held at the River of Life Church on Fosterburg Road. John Badman | The Telegraph